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Jane Hindley joined AMTC back in 2016 but is no stranger to performing! She performed musically from a young age and trained at the London Academy of Performing Arts. Now, Jane is a professional singer under the name ‘Jayne Deer’ and this week she takes on the iconic role of Eva Peron in AMTC’s production of Evita …

"I decided to audition for this show for the challenge and for my children." She says. Jane plays Eva Peron, a beloved but controversial figure in Argentina’s history.

"The cast have had such a laugh learning the complex dance routines in rehearsals. One of my favourite parts has been perfecting the Che and Eva Waltz and the duets with Peron." Eva and Peron have numerous songs together throughout the show and some of these powerful, emotion filled numbers will be sure to have you reaching for a tissue.

You can look forward to hearing the likes of ‘You Must Love Me’ and ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ in this award-winning musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice.

We asked Jane what her biggest challenge has been.. "The lengthy Buenos Aires number which involves a lot of singing and dancing and one big lift!" She laughs, "So that’s something that’s taken a little while to master along with the wig changes!"

If you should need a little extra encouragement to come along and watch this wonderful musical, we think Jane sums it up perfectly "The music is passionate with a fascinating back story. The whole cast are ready to captivate the audience with this emotive and spirited production."​​Evita is on at The Lights between 13th – 16th November (7:30pm) with a matinee on Saturday 16th November (2:30pm). To book your tickets now go to The Lights Box Office at www.thelights.org.uk or call 01264 368368

Laura Budd has been performing in shows since she was seven. Her first show with AMTC was The Pyjama Game, when she was 15 and only last year undertook the part of the ever-sassy Pilar in Legally Blonde. But, her role as The Mistress, in this year’s Evita, asks something a little different of her…

“The show is brilliant but I am definitely nervous about going on stage in a slinky slip…” she laughs, “talk about exposure… it could be worse though I suppose!” Laura’s role as Juan Peron’s Mistress involves her singing the well-known Evita classic, ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’. Her character appears for a short, but sweet, section of the show and is noticeably naïve, lost and lonely. Eva and Juan Peron treat her with little to no respect and she is forced to leave the Peron residence with no idea of what’s to come next.

So, what makes someone audition for such a role? A role where the character isn’t even given a name, representative of her use to Peron? “I auditioned for the show because I thought it would be something different for me,” Laura says, “It’s a new genre for me and I adore the Mistress’ song, so it was a no brainer!”

Laura is also in the ensemble and says she is most looking forward to performing the big dance numbers, “Buenos Aires has to be my favourite song! It’s a fantastic dance piece, choreographed by some incredibly talented girls!” she says. “The dance routines are challenging and have really stretched my abilities, but I’m absolutely loving it!”

Laura says she has thoroughly enjoyed the rehearsal process but has found learning the alto vocal lines the most challenging part, “The curse of an alto is the lines can sound peculiar on their own but sound incredible with the rest of the ensemble!” she laughs.

Laura is really looking forward to performing in Evita and hopes the audience will become as involved with the life of Eva Peron as the cast have, “It’s something completely unique and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score is second to none. There are songs that will make you want to dance, and songs that will make you want to ball your eyes out. People should come and see Evita because we’ve got some pretty amazing voices here at AMTC!”

​Evita is on at The Lights between 13th – 16th November (7:30pm) with a matinee on Saturday 16th November (2:30pm). To book your tickets now go to The Lights Box Office at www.thelights.org.uk or call 01264 368368

​ “How could I resist the chance to dress up in uniform and experience the adulation of the people of Argentina…or Andover for that matter!” laughs David Hall, who will be playing Juan Peron in our next show Evita.

Evita marks David’s second musical with AMTC, after his debut as the nasty Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde last year. “I’ve always had a passion for musical theatre and had an 18-year gap from it until last year when I saw my wife on stage and I couldn’t resist getting involved again too!”

But David is no stranger to the stage. “In my younger days, I sang, acted and even danced my way through about 30 musicals for amateur societies in London, Hertfordshire, Hampshire and my native Cumbria – moving on before the critics had a chance to catch up with me!”

Now David is enjoying his return to the stage in Evita as Peron, the president of Argentina and husband of Eva.

“It is great fun and the whole cast laugh a lot. Being part of AMTC is as much as a social activity as an artistic production and the great thing is that everyone can get involved, whatever your level and experience, we are always looking for new members to join.”

This award-winning musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, features many well-loved songs such as ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’ and the classic ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’

“Musical theatre is really on the up in Andover” David exclaims. “This show is a real gem with great music, lots of passion, a marvellous spectacle and excellent value for money – if you are lucky enough to have a ticket, you are in for a treat!”

Evita is on at The Lights between 13th – 16th November (7:30pm) with a matinee on Saturday 16th November (2:30pm). To book your tickets now go to The Lights Box Office at www.thelights.org.uk or call 01264 368368

After the summer break, rehearsals are now back underway! The cast and crew are continuing to work tirelessly to perfect this hit musical, ready for our show in November running from 13th - 16th November at The Lights.

Evita is a stunning musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics and book by Tim Rice. It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Peron. The story follows Evita's early life, rise to power, charity work, and eventual death.

Released in 1976, its success led to productions in London's West End in 1978, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and on Broadway a year later, where it was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Many of us have seen the film and re-watched it many times on TV, but Sister Act was performed like never before last week.

It was clear from the start that nothing beats a live show and Andover Musical Company (AMTC) Starlights Youth Theatre certainly proved that was true. Right from the start there was plenty of sass, with Amy Lloyd, taking on Whoppi Goldberg's role of Deloris Van Cartier, bursting onto stage with her confidence and big voice.

As a member of Hampshire Youth Choir the audience could definitely see why she was chosen for the show's leading role. Taking on Take Me To Heaven and Fabulous, Baby! was a tall order for the Testbourne Community School pupil, but one she rose to the challenge to complete in marvellous form. As the performance went on there was a lot of love, hate, fear and narrow-mindedness, but amongst this there was a lot of laughs, particularly from the male supporting cast members.

Obviously his accent was meant to make the audience chuckle, but Sebastian Baynes as Pablo resurrected yet another European accent after he last appeared in Legally Blonde as Nikos Argitakos.

Also creating the laughter was Jonathan Harrison-Walsh who played Joey, one of the notorious gangster and Deloris's boyfriend's Curtis's thugs, especially taking on Lady in the Long Black Dress.

As for those who made up much of the cast - the nuns - they were certainly full of enthusiasm and their voices combined were something else! Throughout the show their confidence grew and their voices boomed as they took on many a number. But for me the story that won my heart was that of Sister Mary Robert played by Aurelia Rungen, in her first lead role. As the character is written she begun as shy and soft-spoken, but singing with Deloris lets her find her voice, and boy did she.

In act two Sister Mary Robert came out of her wallflower lifestyle to take on the big song of The Life I Never Led which showcased her wonderful voice like we hadn't heard before.

The fabulous cast of Sister Act have been busy taking part in the Mayor's Picnic and Andover Carnival. Hosting a stand with lots of fun Nun games, placing Third with their walking entry for the parade and wow-ing the crowds with performances from their upcoming production of Sister Act.

After holding our pre-audition rehearsals and auditioning for the principle roles in our next show, we are delighted to announce the cast for our next production of Evita which will be performed at The Lights, from 13th - 16th November.

A huge thank you and well done to everyone who auditioned. You made the job of selecting a cast very difficult and gave the audition panel a great deal to discuss!

​This promises to be a great show and we will keep you updated on the progress as we begin rehearsals. In the meantime, if you would like to get involved with our show in any capacity, please contact us on hello@andovermusicaltheatre.co.uk

The countdown is on for Legally Blonde, on stage at The Lights 7-10 November 2018Cast and crew are polishing performances as the prepare to bring this lively and loveable show to Andover. Based on the movie of the same name, this musical is a fantastic adaptation of the story and will have you rooting for Elle Woods as she overcomes the challenges thrown at her in her journey to find true love and justice at Harvard Law.

Tickets are on sale now at The Lights Box Office. You can book online or call 01264 368368